well I guess you do get the good with the bad- with my first I waited 20 mins for an anaethesiologist to show after 16 hours of drug free labor and then he put in a shunt for the epidural that "fell Out" unbeknowenst to anyone- after laboring for 4 more hours and an attempted forceps delivery I had a c-section and another long wait for the anaesthesiogist to reappear. it was ugly but now a distant memory.
However I will say that the hospital was majorly understaffed due to an 18inch snow storm. Despite what was a traumatic birth on all accounts, for the most part the midwives, nurses and ultimately the doctor involved were great in a bad situation.
My second was a c-section with out event and I will deliver my 3rd there in August (no Mel, not twins- a curse upon you for suggesting it!).

I really really didn't mean to suggest your were having twins! I distinctly remember with the second being very relieved that at least we were only looking at one penis on the ultrasound.

just joking, mel. I had a similiar sigh of relief when I saw one baby on ultrasound!

I delivered here a few weeks ago. I had a great experience. Each staff member did a great job explaining what they were doing from start to finish. Found everyone - from nurses, Drs, Anethes., cleaning staff, escorts, nutrition, LCs to be wonderful.

I had a c-section and was initially sent to a double. It wasn't until my DH pleaded that they came up with a single room. We were told that c-sections do get first priority with singles. Although, they are planning to start renovations in the next couple of weeks and all rooms will be converted to doubles throughout the project ( or at least that's what we were told).

I was checked on frequently by the nurses. Both the baby and I were checked on about 3-4 times daily by the Drs.

DH slept on a recliner that was in the room. Latation classes were a couple of times a week and the LCs came into the room daily. I did not find them to be forceful with brestfeeding ( as we also chose to use formula).

Good Luck on your delivey!

I got a letter from Penn yesterday stating they will be doing renovations for the next 40 weeks(ironic) which will mean the conversion of all singles into doubles and the introduction of laborists on the ward. From my understanding laborists are doctors specifically designated to you and not necessarily your doctor/midwife.
So I am a little concerned. Firstly I will be having a c-section( and possibly a tubal) which means my recovery is longer and stay is longer. i dread the thought of sharing a room with someone watching TV all day/night long (and worse maybe bad tv!). I guess I am particularly private and hate sharing my space. My second concern will be who will be attending to me. I assume I will still be able to have one of my doctors doing my c-section. I will be talking to my midwives about it but I am conidering changing hospital- am I crazy?

I would suggest taking your questions and concerns about this to your OB. I doubt it means that your own doctor or midwife can't deliver your baby, assuming he or she is available at that time. I would be concerned too and looking for the OB to put my mind at ease.

I don't think you're ever crazy for doing what's necessary to ensure you get good treatment. If you're having a scheduled Csection, you have a heck of a lot of control over the situation. So go to a different hospital if it will make you feel better and give you a better recovery. But if you're scheduling things, I can't imagine why your own doctor couldn't do it.

Those of us who can barely make it to the hospital in time don't have many choices. But given my experience last time, I might take my chances at home. Or schedule an induction with my OB of choice. The system isn't perfect and we've got to do what's necessary to protect ourselves.

(I hear you have to schedule these things early. I have a friend who didn't decide until later on in the pg and ended up with 9/11 for the baby's birthday.)

wow-that's awful news about the renovations to Pennsylvania. I had a C-section in 2006 and loved the large private room! I know they have birthing suites and maybe they should be allowing c-sections in that ward so as not to have to share the pain with someone else. I'm so thankful i didn't have to share my time with family members with another woman. As far as the 'laborists', that's a very scary thought.....i don't like that idea. Does HUP offer these? Who is your OB? I have Mellon.....let me know if you are going to talk with your dr and what he has to offer on this info!

No, you're not crazy at all. I delivered in Princeton and, although I have my complaints (the nurse that I had after my delivery was simply terrible), private rooms were pretty much guaranteed and I have a hard time imagining it any other way. However, we had a midwife for the delivery (my OB was on vacation) and it was wonderful though unexpected. Given the "crisis" with OBs and maternity wards in PA, I think it's realistic to be as flexible with your expectations as possible, but you need to advocate for yourself. If you feel a different hospital can better fit your needs, you should consider this option.

__________________
"If you think you're too small to be effective, you have never been in bed with a mosquito."

--Bette Reese

I got that letter too, I'll be speaking to my OB about it this week. There's always a chance I wouldn't have my OB or even one in the practice delivering, now is that chance higher?